Spin-Orbit State-Resolved Differential Cross Sections of the S(1D) + HD Reaction

Here, we report the spin-orbit state-resolved differential cross sections (DCSs) for the prototype barrierless reaction S(1D) + HD. Both product channels, namely H + SD(2Π3/2,1/2) and D + SH(2Π3/2,1/2), were measured by high-resolution crossed molecular beam experiments. The DCSs of two product channels show an overall forward-backward symmetry, in accordance with statistical model predictions. However, the DCSs for different spin-orbit manifolds show different preference in forward or backward scattering directions at the same collision energies. This study reveals that, even though the title reaction proceeds via the long-lived complex mechanism, the spin-orbit coupling effects in the product channels play an important role in the reaction process.